Spray-rinse sink construction



Aug- 26, 1958 E. A. FREDRICKSON 2,848,72l

SPRAY-RINSE SINK CONSTRUCTION Filed NOV. lO, 1955 y Izpr Egal/@rdf 'red /E i l y ted htates SPRAY-RMS@ SNK CNSTRUCN Edward A. Fredriekson, Chicago, lill., assignor to Crane Co., Chicago, lill., a corporation or illinois The present invention relates generally to a spray-rinse sink construction such as a dental lavatory, and more particularly to a novel combined stream and spray spout therefor.

Dental lavatories, whether in dentists offices, railway passenger cars, or elsewhere, are commonly provided with a recess about the upper rim of the basin opening down wardly over the interior face of the basin, concealing means by which a wash of water tiows downwardly along the basin walls to flush or rinse away matter spattered on the basin surface. Such an arrangement is unsanitary, since the rim recess is diiiicult if not practically impossible to clean properly, and therefore constitutes a menace to health. in addition, since the rim wash is necessarily below the iiood level of the basin and connected to the water inlet means from which the spout is also supplied, a backiiow preventer is required to avoid possible contamination of the inlet means, complicating the construction and increasing its cost.

The present invention eliminates the disadvantages of the rim wash construction, and provides a sanitary structure which is easily kept clean and presents no danger of any backiiow or back siphonage so that no backiiow preventer is necessary. The invention is applicable to other sink structures than dental lavatories, for example, sculler'y sinks and the like, and may be utilized in kitchen sinks for rinsing either the basin or dishes washed therein7 or both, and in the usual washing lavatories. The advantages of the invention flow from the provision of what may be termed a combined stream and spray spout through which liquid is discharged either in a stream or in a spray, as desired. rihe spout construction, briefly stated, is such that a pair of preferably concentric discharge openings are provided therein in one of which spray discharge means are disposed, with passage means placing each opening in communication with the spout inlet and valve means for selectively closing ofi flow through one opening while permitting flow through the other.

lt is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a combined stream and spray spout which selectively discharges in a spray or stream.

Another object is the provision of a combined stream and spray spout with a pair of discharge openings of different characteristics through either of which liquid may pass from the spout interior.

Another object is the provision of a selective discharge spout with a plurality of discharge openings of different ow discharge characteristics each Separately in communication with the spout inlet passage through selective valve means for discharge through any of the openings.

Another object is the provision of a spray-rinse sink structure in which the basin may be rinsed by a spray discharged from a spout thereabove which also selectively discharges a stream into the basin.

arent O ice It is also an object of the invention to provide a sink structure with a spout extending over a basin and adapted to discharge either a stream or a spray into the basin.

A further object is the provision of a sink structure in which a selective discharge spout with a plurality of discharge openings of different characteristics extends over a basin for discharge of liquid thereinto from any of the openmgs.

Other and further objects and advantages will become more readily apparent upon proceeding with the specification read in light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a dental lavatory basin showing in elevation a combined stream and spray spout associated therewith, according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional assembly view through the spout taken approximately along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is illustrated as embodied in a sink structure, specifically a dental lavatory, comprising a basin 10 having a drain opening il and a raised rim ledge 12 apertured for mounting of the supply iittings. A pair of hot and cold water lines 13 and 14 each controlled by a suitable handled valve i5 secured on the ledge are connected through the valves to opposite branches of a i6. The T is Supported below the ledge by means of integral lugs 17 thereon through which screws 1S are threaded to bear against the undersurface of the ledge. The stem 19 of the 'f extends upwardly into and is threaded in the inlet end of the spout 20. This end of the spout extends downwardly through an aperture in the ledge to receive the T and has an enlargement 21 bearing on the upper surface of the ledge, so that the spout is securely clamped in place. The rate of flow into the interior of the spout is controlled by an adjustable throttle valve comprising a vertical throttle sleeve 22 threadedly secured in the spout defining an extension of the passage at the inlet end and having a valve seat 23 at its lower end and ports 24 opening to the interior of the spout above the seat. A throttling valve member 25 adapted to engage on the seat 23 has a stem threaded in the sleeve by which the Valve may be adjusted relative to the seat for determining the rate of ow therepast into the said spout. The upper end of the sleeve 22 projects from the spout body and is closed by a threaded cap 26 which provides for access to the valve stem for said flow adjustment or the like. it the water supply is normally subject to considerable iluctuations in ow, a flow regulator may be employed instead of the throttle valve.

The spout 20 extends over the basin 10, with the interior of the spout forming an inlet passage between its inlet and outlet ends. At the outlet end is a circular discharge opening 27, which is shown as in a plane angled above the horizontal. A partition 23 preferably integral with the body of the spout extends across the interior of the spout, including a pair of spaced portions 29 generally parallel to the plane of the opening 27 and projecting partially thereover. From the lower of the parallel portions 29, a tubular stream discharge member 30, preferably integral with the partition, extends concentric with the outlet opening 27 to discharge into the basin. In this instance, the member 3i) is illustrated as projecting below the plane of the opening 27. Threaded on the stream discharge member 30 to extend thereabout and in the opening 27 is a spray discharge member 31 having a conical upper face extending in closely spaced relation to the edge of the outlet opening 27 so as to dene therewith t s 3 an annular spray discharge Fig. 2. The partition 28 defines at the outlet end'of the spout an inner chamber 32 in open communication with the inlet passage of the spout, and which in fact may be considered as a closed end portion of the passage or an extension thereof, and an outer chamber 33 extending aboutthe inner chamber, above anti-below the partition portions 29, and in open communication with-theautlet opening 27 about ,the stream discharge mensbert);KY In the upper partition portion 29 -isvprovided anopening receiving the inner or lower end of a valve sleeve 34 threaded in the upper ,wall ofthe spout. The openlower end of the sleeve provides a port, communicating with the inner chamber 32, about which is formed a valve seat 35,and radial ports-36 are formed in the sleeveabove the partition portion 29 .providingcommunication between the sleeve and the upper portion of the outer chamber 33. Aport with a seat 37 thereabout is provided inthe lower partition portion 29 opening the member 30 tot-he inner chamber, the ports in the upperand lower partition portions y29 -being coaxial; A valve member 38 is disposed between the partition portions 29, formed to engage either of Athe seats 35 and 37 and arranged to move axially therebetween. The valve member 38 has a stem 39 extending through the sleeve 34 and slidable therein to shift the valve'member into engagement with one or the other ofthe ys eats, the stem being sufficiently tight in the sleeve to hold the valve in desired position. The stem projects outwardly of the spout Vbody Vthrough the sleeve and is provided on its outer end with a suitable knob 40 or similar means for easy manual operation. The knob is screwed or otherwise removably secured on the stem to permit assembly of the valve and sleeve for insertion in the spout. A screen may of course be provided for either or bothof the spout outlets. Y

It will be apparent that with the valve member 38 slot, as Will be clear from l seated on the seat 37 and shown in Fig. 2, the stream discharge member is shut off from the inlet passage through the spout, and water passing through V.either or both of the valves 15 will ow through the interior of the spout and into the chamber 33 through the` open lower end of the sleeve 34 and the yports 36, to discharge through the spray slot between the edge of the outlet opening 27 and the spray discharge member 31. ln the present case, the spray discharge is in the form of *what may be termed a conoidal sheet which falls upon-the walls of the basin to rinse away matter-lodged thereon.

The particular form of the spray, whether in a mist,

multiple ne streams, a sheet defining a hollow body as in the present instance, or otherwise, may be -varied as desired by the shape and formation of thel member 31 and the spacing' thereof relative to the edge of the opening 27. For instance, the spray discharge slot, which it will be obvious need not be completely annular, may be divided into a number of separated openings by means of ridges or projections on the spray discharge member 31 or the edge of the opening 27, or both. Again, the member 31 might close the opening 27 and have a number of discharge `passages therethrough. Itis contemplated, therefore, that sprays of forms other than that specifically disclosed may be provided by the invention; When the valve member 38 is seated on the seat 35, the chamber 33 isshut off from the inlet passage, and watenows from the interior of the spout through the opened port in the lower partition portion 29 to discharge through the member 30 in a stream, as for filling a glass. It is to be noted that the two vdischarge means or outlets might be reversed if desired to have a spray dischargeV from the innerdischarge Vmeans and a stream discharge from the outer means,and further that both discharge outlets might .be employed forsprays or streams of different types if desired "instead of one providing. a spray andthe other a stream.-Vv ,In other words, the invention contemplates the provision of a `plurality of outlets in a spout. having Y 4 diierent discharge characteristics without necessary regard to distinction as between a spray and stream.

While only a single embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it will be understood that various modications of this embodiment may be employed in practicing the invention, and the invention therefore is not intended to be limited to this speciiic form.

1. A spray-rinse dental lavatory or the like comprising a basin, a spout having aninletend connected to a source of water and an outlet end extending over said basin having a circular outlet opening defined by an Vedge portion of the spout spaced above the basin, valve means controlling flow into said spout inlet end, a partition extending across the spout outlet end including a pair of substantially parallel portions extending partially over said t opening generally Vparallel to and spaced from the plane of said edge portion, said partition defining a pair of chambers one in communication with the inlet end and extending-between said partition portions and the' other in communication with the outlet opening and extending about the one chamber, stream discharge means extending from said one chamber centrally of the outlet opening through a portion of the other chamber, spray discharge means within the outlet opening extending about the stream discharge meanshaving a conical face in closely spaced relation to said edge portion dening therewith an annular spray discharge outlet, opposed coaxial ports in said partition portions opening the one chamber to the stream discharge means and to the other chamber, a valve seat abouteach of the ports, a valve member between the partition portions movable for selective seating on said valve seats to close one port or the other, and a valve stem carrying said valve member projecting outwardly of the spout and shiftable axially of` said ports, whereby either a stream of water or arcon'oidal sheet of water rinsing the basin wall may be discharged from the spout. Y

2. A combined stream and spray spout comprising -a hollow spout body having an outlet opening, a partition extending across said body adjacent said opening .including generally parallel portions extending `partially over the opening substantially parallel to and spaced from the plane thereof, a pair of chambers defined by said .partition one communicating with the interior of the spout .and extending between said partition portions and the other communicating with said opening, a tubular stream discharge member extending from said one chamber Vcentrally of the opening, a spray discharge memberextending in the opening about Said stream discharge member and having an inclined inner surface in -closely spaced relation to the edge of the opening defining therewith a spray discharge slot, a pair of opposed .ports in said partition portions placing said one chamber in communication respectively with said stream discharge member and said other chamber, a valve member movable between said vports for selective closing thereof, and a stem extending from the valve member outwardly of the spout body shiftable axially of the ports for moving the valve member.

3. A combined stream and spray spout'compris'ing' a hollow spout body defining an inlet passage, oiset partition means in the body closing the passage, stream passage means and spray passage means within the body extending from the partition means eachhaving a discharge outlet opening to the exterior of -the body, the discharge outlet of the spray passage means surrounding the stream passage means outlet, a pair of iopposed ports with inner limits defined by opposed seats inthe partition means providing communication between the inlet passage and each of said passage means, a valve member reciprocably movable between the seats of the said ports for selective closing thereof, a valve stem'on said valve member extending axially of the ports and outwardly.Y of the body for moving the valve member, and meansfiexasias/ai mi r , C? tending across said spray passage means outlet in spaced apart relation to an outer edge limit thereof to effect spray discharge therefrom.

4. A combinedfstream and spray spout comprising a hollow spout body defining an inlet passage, partition means in the body closing the inlet passage, a stream outlet passage and a spray outlet passage defined in the body extending from the partition means each having an outlet opening to the exterior of the body with the spray passage outlet extending about the stream passage outlet, ports with opposed valve seats in inner walls of the partition means placing the inlet passage in communication with each of the outlet passages, valve means reciprocably movable for selective closing of the said opposed seats of the ports, actuating means for the valve means extending outwardly of the body, and restricting means cooperating with an end depending portion of said spray passage outlet to effect spray discharge therefrom.

5. A combined stream and spray spout comprising a hollow spout body dening an inlet passage, partition means having substantially transverse walls in the body closing the inlet passage, a stream outlet passage and a spray outlet passage defined in the body extending from a lower wall in the partition means and each having an outlet opening to the exterior of the body, one of said outlets extending about the other, coaxial spaced apart ports in said partition means placing the inlet passage in communication with each of said outlet passages, valve means movable between the transverse walls of said partition means for selectively closing the ports, actuating means for the valve means, and restricting means mounted on the said lower wall partition means at the outlet of said spray outlet passage to effect spray discharge therefrom, the said restricting means being of substantially conical configuration in cross-section with at least an upper portion thereof extending within said spray outlet passage.

6. A spray-rinse dental lavatory or the like comprising a basin, a spout having an inlet end connected to a source of water and an outlet end extending over said basin having a circular outlet `opening dened by an annular depending outer portion of the spout spaced above the basin, valve means controlling ow into said spout inlet end, a partition extending across the spout outlet end including a pair of substantially parallel transverse wall portions extending partially over said opening generally parallel to and spaced from the plane of said depending spout portion, said partition defining a pair of chambers one in communication with the inlet end and extending between said partition portions and the other in communication with the outlet opening and extending about the one chamber, stream discharge means extending from.

said one chamber centrally of the outlet opening through a portion of the other chamber, spray discharge means at the outlet `opening extending about the stream discharge means having a substantially transverse annularly extending face in closely spaced relation to said depending outer portion of the spout defining therewith an annular spray discharge outlet, opposed coaxial ports in said partition wall portions opening the one chamber to the stream discharge means and to the other chamber, a valve seat defining the inner end portion of each of the ports, a valve member between the partition portions movable for selective seating on said Valve seats to close one port or the other, and a valve stem carrying said valve member projecting outwardly of the spout and shiftable axially of said ports, whereby either a stream of water or a substantially transversely extending ringlike sheet of water rinsing the basin wall may optionaliy be discharged from the spout.

7. A spray-rinse dental lavatory or the like comprising a basin, a spout having an inlet end connected to a source of water and an outlet end extending over said basin having a circular outlet opening defined by an annular projection of the spout spaced above the basin, valve 4spray discharge means cooperating with the stream dis'- charge means having a substantially transverse face in closely spaced relation to said annular projection delining therewith an annular spray discharge outlet, spaced apart coaxial ports in opposite walls of said partition portions opening the one chamber to the stream discharge means and to the other chamber, a valve seat about each inner portion of the coaxial ports, a Valve member between the partition portions movable for selective seating on said valve seats to close one port or the other, and a valve stem cooperating with said valve member and projecting of the spout and shiftable axially relative to said ports, whereby either a stream of water or a substantially transverse sheet of water for rinsing the basin wall may be discharged from the spout, a valve sleeve journally supporting said stem and engaging the said spout, the said sleeve having a ported portion cooperating with one of the said co-axial ports opening the one chamber to the other chamber.

8. A combined stream and spray spout comprising a hollow spout body having an outlet opening, a partition extending across said body adjacent said opening including generally parallel portions extending partially over the opening substantially parallel to and spaced from the plane thereof, a pair of chambers defined by said partition one communicating with the interior of the spout and extending between said partition portions and the other communicating with said opening, a tubular stream discharge member extending from said one chamber centrally of the opening, a spray discharge member extending in the opening about said stream discharge member and having an inclined inner surface in closely spaced relation to the edge of the opening defining therewith a spray discharge circular slot, a pair of opposed ports in said partition portions placing said one chamber in communication respectively with said stream discharge member and said other chamber, a valve member movable between spaced apart inner ends of said ports for effecting selective closing thereof, a transversely ported sleeve in an upper portion of the spout body, a stem jcurnalled in the said sleeve and extending from the valve member outwardly of the spout body shiftable axially of the opposed partition ports for moving the valve member.

9. A combined stream and spray spout comprising a hollow spout body having an outlet opening, a partition extending across said body adjacent said opening including generally parallel portions extending partially over the opening substantially parallel to and spaced from the plane thereof, a pair of chambers defined by said partition one communicating with the interior of the spout and extending between said partition portions and the other communicating with said opening, a tubular stream discharge member extending from said one chamber centrally of the opening, a spray discharge member extending in the opening about said stream discharge member and having an inclined inner surface in closely spaced relation to the edge of the opening dening therewith a spray discharge slot, a pair of opposed ports in said partition portions placing said one chamber in communication respectively with said stream discharge member and said other chamber, a valve member movable between said ports for selective closing thereof, a transyersely ported sleeve positioned in said body, a stem with at lest`atportion journalled Within Lsaid sleeve, the said stem having'a portion extending from the Valve lmember outwardly of the spout body and shiftable axially of the partition `opposed ports for Vmoving the Valve member, the said ported sleeve cooperating with said opposed ports optionally Vallowing uid flow through said outlet opening `upon predetermined axial movement of said valve -membe1z Y UNITEDYK sTATEgtArENTs Lp Great Britain Aug.k 13, 

